Opposition leaders, activists, and community groups lash out at Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of inciting hatred and dividing communities.
Team ClarionÂ
MUMBAI — Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has faced fierce backlash for his staunch defence of the controversial ‘love jihad’ legislation, with critics accusing him of deliberately stoking religious divisions, promoting intolerance, and undermining the values of India’s secular constitution.
Fadnavis’ comments justifying the state’s push to curb interfaith marriages based on the unfounded concept of ‘love jihad’ have sparked outrage. Opposition leaders, civil rights groups, and members of the Muslim community have condemned his remarks as dangerously polarising.
“This is nothing but a deliberate attempt to paint an entire community with a broad brush, based on a fictional and harmful narrative,” said Abu Asim Azmi, State President of the Samajwadi Party. “Fadnavis’s rhetoric is dangerous and divisive. It only seeks to create fear, hatred, and suspicion among people. His statements are an insult to the very concept of unity and harmony that our nation stands for.”
Azmi’s comments came in response to Fadnavis’s assertion that while interfaith marriages were not inherently wrong, the state needed to take action against those involving alleged deception, fake identities, and forced conversions. “It is not wrong for a person of one religion to marry someone from another religion,” Fadnavis said. “But when deceit and abandonment are involved, that becomes a problem.”
Such claims have been widely criticised as an attempt to criminalise personal choice and religious freedom. “This is an effort to institutionalise hate and division,” said MLA Raees Sheikh, a vocal critic of the legislation. “Fadnavis and his government are using the term ‘love jihad’ to delegitimise and demonise interfaith marriages. This law is nothing but a tool for targeting Muslims and suppressing their rights.”
Human rights activists have also expressed their grave concerns about the legislation, warning that it could lead to widespread abuse and harassment. “This is a thinly veiled attack on Muslim communities across the state,” said a spokesperson for the Human Rights Law Network. “Fadnavis’s words are reckless and irresponsible. This is not about protecting people from ‘love jihad.’ This is about creating a climate of fear, where people are afraid to marry across religious lines for fear of being branded as criminals.”
Fadnavis further sparked controversy by citing court rulings, including decisions from the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court, to justify the existence of ‘love jihad.’ His justification of such laws has been roundly criticised as a deliberate attempt to distort legal precedent and exploit religious sentiments for political gain. “This is a baseless and dangerous tactic that has no place in a democratic society,” said civil rights lawyer Ayesha Khan. “Fadnavis is trying to make Muslims the scapegoat for societal issues that have nothing to do with religion.”
The Maharashtra government has also formed a seven-member committee to draft new laws aimed at preventing forced conversions, with Fadnavis stating that his administration would take all necessary steps to deal with deceptive marriages. The committee, headed by the Director General of Police (DGP), is tasked with studying similar laws in other states and proposing measures to curb the practice. But critics warn that such laws could open the door to arbitrary arrests, further victimising innocent individuals simply because of their religious choices.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has, however, voiced his opposition to the ‘love jihad’ narrative, agreeing that Hindu-Muslim marriages should not be labelled as such. “I do not agree with calling interfaith marriages ‘love jihad,'” Athawale said. “But forced conversions are wrong, and there should be a law for that.”
Despite such opposition, Fadnavis has refused to back down from his position, insisting that the government’s stance is in the best interest of the state and its citizens. “We are committed to protecting our people from deceit and exploitation,” he said.
The rhetoric surrounding ‘love jihad’ has sparked widespread criticism for its potential to fuel further religious polarisation and hate crimes. Prominent academics have called the legislation a direct challenge to India’s pluralistic society, with many warning of its dangerous ramifications. “This legislation has no basis in law or fact,” said Dr Aamir Raza, a sociologist and expert on religious conflict. “It’s a deliberate attempt to tear apart the social fabric, sow distrust, and ultimately destabilise the unity of our country.”
As the Maharashtra government pushes ahead with its plans, many fear that the controversial stance on ‘love jihad’ could set a dangerous precedent for religious intolerance across India. The debate over interfaith marriages and forced conversions is now more charged than ever, with critics warning that the legislation could fuel widespread fear and hatred among communities. The growing backlash against Fadnavis’ comments signals a deepening divide that may have long-term consequences for the state’s social harmony.
